Appendix J: Newcastle Disease (ND)

J1. Introduction

Newcastle Disease (
ND) is a highly
contagious disease of birds caused by a para-myxo virus. Birds
affected by this disease include fowls, turkeys, geese, ducks,
pheasants, guinea fowl and other wild and captive birds. In Great
Britain, isolated cases of this disease were first reported in the
1930s. From 1947, outbreaks occurred here over the next 30 years
and there were further isolated cases, most recently in 2007 (East
Lothian). This disease does, however, remain a problem
world-wide.

The clinical signs vary from a very acute form with sudden onset
and high mortality, to a mild disease with slight respiratory
disease and a drop in egg production as the only detectable
clinical signs. Other possible signs include depression, lack of
appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and nervous signs. In
laying flocks a sudden drop in egg production with a high
proportion of eggs laid with abnormal (soft) shells is often an
early sign of disease. Young birds are particularly susceptible and
mortality can be heavy, with survivors often exhibiting permanent
nervous signs. Licensed vaccines are freely available for use in
poultry and pigeons and are widely used in commercial poultry
production on a prophylactic basis.

The commercial poultry industry in Scotland is a very organised
and integrated industry; any movement restrictions, imposed as part
of the disease control response, would have potentially serious
consequences for producers in the Infected Area. It is at its most
dense on the East Coast of Scotland. Commercial flocks that are
routinely vaccinated against Newcastle Disease would be protected.
It is likely that public interest would be minimal and the expected
impact on the general public would be low. There are numerous
backyard flocks within Scotland, and identifying and implementing
controls on these will be resource intensive.

If Newcastle Disease was confirmed then a Local Disease Control
Centre (
LDCC) would
be established. The scale of a response would be expected to be
much smaller than that of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza or
FMD.

J4. Public Health

Newcastle Disease virus does not pose a significant threat to
human health, even when people handle birds known to be infected.
Close contact is required for transmission to humans. The disease
can cause conjunctivitis and a mild fever. The symptoms only last a
few days and there are no long-term effects on health. There is no
risk of human infection from poultry meat or eggs.

J5. Risk of Introduction of Infection

There remains a low to moderate level of threat from a number of
sources. Newcastle Disease is endemic in much of Africa, Asia and
Central and South America and sporadic outbreaks occur throughout
the
EU in most years. Disease
could be introduced by importing infected poultry and poultry
products or by migrating wild birds introducing infection.
Preventative measures introduced in the response to Avian Influenza
will further enhance control measures that protect the
UK and the poultry
industry from Newcastle Disease.

J6. Spread of Disease

Spread is usually by direct contact with secretions from
infected birds (especially faeces) but can also be via contaminated
feed, egg boxes, water, equipment and clothing. Wild birds may
introduce the virus into flocks.

J7. Lead Responder Control Measures Under Statutory and
Regulatory Powers

J.7.1 Local Authority Principal Role

Enforcing Animal Health and Welfare Legislation

Enforcing movement restrictions

Enforcing of cleansing and disinfection requirements

Erection of signage and dissemination of guidance and
information

Stand down and recovery

J.7.2 Animal and Plant Health Agency (
APHA)
Principal Role

Respond to and investigate all reports of suspect notifiable
disease

Lead agency in the instigation of local response to disease
outbreak

Convene the
NDCC,
LDCC and
FOB

Supervise the welfare of animals being culled

Surveillance and blood sampling of animals to demonstrate
absence of disease and thus gain recognition of disease
freedom

J.7.3 Scottish Government Principal Role

Ensure necessary legislation is in place

Make and disseminate policy decisions

Make and disseminate guidance and information on disease
control

Communicate with field staff and enforcement bodies (such as
local authorities)

handles policy issues as well as share disease control
developments with
SGoR,
NDCC,
other
UK Rural Affairs
departments and the
EU

J.7.4 Following Suspicion of Disease

a restriction notice is served on the suspect premises

current legislation does not support a Temporary Control
Zone, although if it is not possible to rule out Avian Influenza
one may be introduced under that legislation

disease may be confirmed in 2 or 3 days but it might take a
week

J.7.5 Following Confirmation of Disease

an Infected Area, consisting of a Protection Zone and
Surveillance Zone will be established

a Protection Zone (with a radius of at least 3 km) and a
Surveillance Zone (with a radius of at least 10 km) will be
established around the Infected Premises

the Infected Area measures will include movement restrictions
and enhanced biosecurity

some movements will be allowed under a general or specific
movement licence according to risk assessment

a central cleansing and disinfection point would be necessary
but the throughput would be much less than that for
FMD

captive birds, other than poultry may or may not be affected
by most of the measures in the Infected Area but their owners
would have to report any unexpected illnesses or deaths

all poultry on Infected Premises and those considered to be
Dangerous Contacts will be destroyed. Birds will be disposed by
commercial rendering or incineration